WestJet To Acquire 20 Aircraft With Options For 25 More

Alberta, Canada airline partnership WestJet has inked a deal with Bombardier which includes a conditional order for 20 Q400 NextGen turboprops following the letter of intent to purchase the aircraft that was announced by WestJet on May 1, 2012. The transaction also includes options on an additional 25 Q400 NextGen aircraft.

Based on list price, a firm order for 20 Q400 NextGen aircraft would be valued at approximately $683 million, and could increase to approximately $1.59 billion should the 25 options be converted to firm orders.

The announcement was made Thursday in Calgary where WestJetters and their families were on hand for a close-up look at the Q400 NextGen aircraft on display at the airline's Campus. Also in attendance, were potential regional airport delegations from across the country and media representatives. Earlier this year, an internal WestJet poll revealed that over 90 per cent of WestJetters were in favour of launching a regional airline to serve more communities across Canada. Set to begin operations in the second half of 2013, the regional airline is anticipated to serve regional airports from coast to coast that are currently considered under-served.

"We are delighted to welcome our friends from Bombardier to our campus today as well as representatives from the more than 30 airports across Canada hoping to have WestJet service in their communities in the future," said Gregg Saretsky, WestJet President and CEO. "Our launch plans are progressing nicely and we look forward to expanding to new communities when we launch in the second half of 2013."

As Canada's second-largest carrier, WestJet currently provides scheduled and chartered air service in North America and the Caribbean.

Bombardier has booked firm orders for 428 Q400 and Q400 NextGen airliners and delivered aircraft are in service with approximately 40 operators in 30 countries, on six continents.

(Image provided by Bombardier)

FMI: www.bombardier.com